“SNL” Creator Lorne Michaels Recalls the Cast Insisting on Working During a Post-9/11 Anthrax Attack in 30 Rock

Lizzie Hyman, Alex CramerWed, April 15, 2026 at 10:54 PM UTC

0

Lorne Michaels at a New York City screening and Q&A for 'Lorne' on April 14.Credit: Araya Doheny/FilmMagic -

Lorne Michaels created the legendary sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live in 1975

Michaels shared memories from his long SNL tenure on April 14 during a Q&A event for a new documentary about his life and career

Lorne opens in theaters on April 17

For Lorne Michaels, one of his most memorable moments from the first 50 seasons of Saturday Night Live happened in the weeks after 9/11.

During a Q&A with Chairman of NBCUniversal Entertainment Donna Langley at a special screening of the new documentary Lorne on April 14, the SNL creator, 81, shared a vivid recollection from his time working on the show.

“I was on a stage with Will Ferrell, it was a rehearsal stage, and we had anthrax in the building,” Michaels recalled of the 2001 incident. “And I remember when the anthrax was there, Drew Barrymore left, she was hosting, and because a serious thing had happened on the third floor, somebody had opened an envelope and it was serious, and they were hospitalized, and we were still doing the show. And I said, ‘When you get on the elevator, don't press three [where the attack had occurred]. Just press eight or nine [SNL's floors].’ "

From left: Morgan Neville, Donna Langley, Lorne Michaels and Steven Spielberg at the 'Lorne' screening and Q&A in NYC April 14.Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Focus Features via Getty

What made the moment even more significant was that it came during preparations for SNL’s third show after 9/11.

“We were the second-tallest building in New York, and I didn’t ask anybody to come in because I thought people, if they didn’t want to come in, shouldn’t have to,” Michaels said of returning to 30 Rock in New York City after the terrorist attacks. “But pretty much everybody came in, and I thought, 'Well, this is nuts, but this is what we do.' We do this show and we have to figure out what we’re going to say and how we’re going to do it.”

He added, “It has to be funny in a time where it's probably not going to be, at least the audience isn't looking for that. But they are looking for connection and familiar faces and the idea that we'll go on. And that's what we've done many times, and I think it's just baked in that's what we do.”

Advertisement

Despite the announcement the day before that an NBC News employee had been hospitalized after being exposed to anthrax, Barrymore still hosted the Oct. 12, 2001 episode. In her opening remarks, she told the audience she initially had been hesitant to travel to New York so soon after 9/11, but she had no idea what was coming.

“I got on an airplane, then we started rehearsing and I got calm. I got really excited, and then yesterday they discovered anthrax in the building!” Barrymore said.

Drew Barrymore at SNL50: The Anniversary Special on Feb. 16, 2025.Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

The actress, who was promoting her movie Riding in Cars With Boys, said that despite her initial urge to skip her appearance, she found inspiration in then–New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. He also appeared in that episode, urging New Yorkers to remain strong and continue with their lives.

Barrymore added, "I went back to the hotel, and I thought again about being brave. So, I came back, and I'm here, and you're here, and you're being brave, too.”

Lorne premieres in theaters on April 17.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: “AOL Entertainment”